Griffons hunt revenge against Valke in Currie Cup First Division final
The NovaVit Griffons are not to be underestimated — they've held their own in tough clashes against so-called 'bigger' teams.
Image: Danie van der Lith / DFA / File
THE NovaVit Griffons will have a score to settle when they travel to Kempton Park for the Carling Currie Cup First Division final next Saturday – a rematch against the unbeaten Valke, who incidentally are the only team to have beaten them in this year’s competition.
It was in the opening round that the Griffons suffered a frustrating 36-26 loss at home to the East Rand outfit, and now they have a golden opportunity to flip the script – this time on the Valke’s turf at Barnard Stadium.
Both teams were dominant in their semi-final victories this past weekend and will head into the final full of confidence.
The Griffons swept past Eastern Province 48-20 in Welkom, running in seven tries, with winger Buhle Nojekwa crossing the line twice. Flyhalf Andrew Kota was again reliable with the boot, slotting five conversions and a penalty goal as the home side raced to a 31-13 halftime lead and never looked back.
Although they leaked three tries, the Welkom side will be far more focused on their attacking rhythm and momentum heading into the decider.
The Valke, meanwhile, made light work of the Leopards, winning 55-12 and dotting down six times – with Mbembe Payi grabbing a brace – along with a penalty try. Their halfback duo of Keagan Fortune and Sergio Stalmeester ensured the scoreboard kept ticking, capitalising on the visitors’ mistakes.
That result confirmed a final between the top two teams on the log – but the Griffons have not forgotten how the campaign started and are eager to finish it with a statement win on the road.
The Carling Currie Cup First Division final kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, July 26, at Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park.
Semi-final Scorers:
Valke 55 (24) Leopards 12 (0)
Valke – Tries: Ezrick Alexander, Cohen Kiewit, Zingisa April, Mbembe Payi (2), Wernich Aucamp, Penalty Try. Conversions: Keagan Fortune (5), Sergio Stalmeester. Penalty goals: Fortune (2).
Leopards – Tries: Brandon Keevy, Lwandile Mapuko. Conversion: Shaun-Christian Baxter.
NovaVit Griffons 48 (31) Eastern Province 20 (13)
Griffons – Tries: Buhle Nojekwa (2), Lungi Mbiko, Calla Pienaar, Ulrich Stander, Kyle Cyster, Quan Eymann. Conversions: Andrew Kota (5). Penalty goal: Kota.
EP – Tries: Sherwin Slater, Rodney Damons, Mzwanele Zito. Conversion: Oliver Zono. Penalty goal: Zono.